ISLAMABAD, May 14, 2014: Starting 55 minutes behind the schedule, the third sitting of the ongoing session witnessed low attendance of the Senators as only 10 were present at the outset and 40 at the adjournment of the sitting, says the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the Senators. The Opposition Benches and the MQM members staged a walkout protesting against the disconnection of power to tube-wells in Sindh.

A Calling Attention Notice, submitted by a PPPP legislator, about sufficient public importance regarding increase upfront tariff for coal fired power plants by 30% was also taken up and responded to by the Water and Power Minister

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in House Proceedings

• The Senate met for two hours and eight minutes.
• The sitting started at 1655 hours against the scheduled time of 1600 hours witnessing a delay of 55 minutes.
• The Deputy Chairman presided over the entire sitting.
• Ten senators (10%) were present at the outset and 40 (39%) at the adjournment while a maximum of 49 (48%) at one point during the proceedings.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PkMAP, NP and PPPP attended the sitting.
• Two minority member attended the sitting
• The Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition attended the entire sitting.

Representation and Responsiveness

• Ten out 35 starred questions (requiring oral replies) were taken up and responded to by the relevant ministries. Moreover, a total of 35 supplementary questions were asked.
• Submitted by a PPPP legislator, a Calling Attention Notice (CAN) regarding sufficient public importance regarding increase upfront tariff for coal fired power plants by 30% was taken up and responded to by the Water and Power Minister.

Output

• Three Standing Committee reports appearing on the Orders of the Day were presented to the House. The reports were about the Cabinet Secretariat Committee for the period from June 2012 to June 2013, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Act 2012 and the Pakistan Pharmacy Council Bill 2013.
• No bills appeared on the Orders of the Day.

Order and Institutionalization

• Seven lawmakers spoke on two points of order 37 minutes of the proceedings.
• The Opposition and the MQM members walked out of the House over disconnection of electricity to agricultural tubewells in Sindh.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on senators’ attendance was not available to the observers and the public.  
• The Quorum was visibly lacking at various stages of the sitting. However, it was not pointed out by any of the Senators.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of FAFEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. This Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of the Senate proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization; a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions excepted.